RESPONSE
Knock Sensor Removal – 2.7L
The sensor screws into the cylinder block, directly below the intake manifold.
On the 2.7L engine the knock sensor is located under the intake manifold and passenger side cylinder head. The intake manifold and head will need to be removed to gain access. It is a tight fit and you will also need to use a crows foot socket to remove the knock sensor(1).
Removal – 4 Cylinder
The sensor threads into the side of the engine block in front of the starter. It is a tight fit and you will also need to use a crows foot socket to remove the knock sensor
Installation
Install knock sensor. Tighten knock sensor to 10 N·m (7 ft. lbs.) torque. Over or under tightening effects knock sensor performance, possibly causing improper spark control.
OPERATION
When the knock sensor detects a knock in one of the cylinders, it sends an input signal to the PCM. In response, the PCM retards ignition timing for all cylinders by a scheduled amount.
Knock sensors contain a piezoelectric material which constantly vibrates and sends an input voltage (signal) to the PCM while the engine operates. As the intensity of the crystal’s vibration increases, the knock sensor output voltage also increases.
The voltage signal produced by the knock sensor increases with the amplitude of vibration. The PCM receives as an input the knock sensor voltage signal. If the signal rises above a predetermined level, the PCM will store that value in memory and retard ignition timing to reduce engine knock. If the knock sensor voltage exceeds a preset value, the PCM retards ignition timing for all cylinders. It is not a selective cylinder retard.
The PCM ignores knock sensor input during engine idle conditions. Once the engine speed exceeds a specified value, knock retard is allowed.
Knock retard uses its own short term and long term memory program.
Long term memory stores previous detonation information in its battery-backed RAM. The maximum authority that long term memory has over timing retard can be calibrated.
Short term memory is allowed to retard timing up to a preset amount under all operating conditions (as long as rpm is above the minimum rpm) except WOT. The PCM, using short term memory, can respond quickly to retard timing when engine knock is detected. Short term memory is lost any time the ignition key is turned off.
NOTE: Over or under tightening affects knock sensor performance, possibly causing improper spark control.